Galle Literary Festival has released its full Art Trail programme in partnership with ARTRA Magazine. It is scheduled to run in parallel to the literary programme from 6th - 9th February 2025 in multiple locations across Galle.

Picking up themes that reflect the dynamic landscape of South Asian contemporary art, the Art Trail programme brings together an impressive lineup of celebrated regional artists alongside emerging talents, providing a captivating exploration into both social and cultural exploration through several exhibitions and events in the Fort.

"We are delighted to feature the works from ARTRA's emerging artists, such as Rajani Serasinghe and Kopalapillai Mathiskumar alongside revered artists Ali Kazim (Pakistan), Tayeba Begum Lipi (Bangladesh) and Anoli Perera (Sri Lanka) whose works are part of seminal collections around the world including the Tate, Qatar Museums and Guggenheim,” says Azara Jaleel, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ARTRA Magazine. “The diverse collection of mediums and exploration of environments really frames the artistic multitudes of Art Trail 2025,”

She further explains that Art Trail 2025 is also curated and composed to reflect the potency and ever-evolving landscapes of Sri Lankan and South Asian Contemporary Art in engaging and entertaining formats.

Art Trail 2025 will also celebrate the launch of the first South Asian Contemporary Art Edition of ARTRA Magazine. This inaugural edition will highlight the works of these key artists, providing a rich insight into the regional artistic landscape.

Pictured: Anoli Perera

The festival will offer a multifaceted programme designed to engage visitors through various formats, including Art Exhibitions, Meet the Artist, and Art Walks featuring diverse local and international talent. Some of the highlights include:

• Art Exhibitions such as ‘Into the Mystique’, a captivating exhibition by Rajani Serasinghe, showcasing the mesmerising beauty of nature through intricate details that evoke a dreamlike reverence for the island’s diverse flora and fauna, ‘The Tree Left Standing’ – a powerful collection of nature photography by Anushka Wijesinha and Nishan Perera, capturing the enduring spirit of nature amidst challenges and ‘Riches in Ruins’ – a thought-provoking exhibition by Kopalapilla Mathiskumar exploring societal norms and unveils the hidden injustices of class and wealth that shape our world.
• Meet the Artists sessions, with Gihan de Chickera who will provide an in-depth look into his evolution as a political cartoonist, sharing insights into his creative journey and the development of his unique craft. Artists Kesara Ratnavibhushana and French Cowboy (Mia Macfarlane, and Julien Crouigneau) will also share their artistic processes, offering a deeper understanding of their distinctive approaches to photography.
• Artist Walks with Koralegedara Pushpakumara, who will guide visitors through the creative journey behind his powerful exhibition ‘The Brutality Within’ and The Streets of Colombo Photography Collective, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the work and inspiration of the featured photographers, among a host of other Artist Walks.

About Galle Literary Festival
Since its launch in 2007, orchestrated by Geoffrey Dobbs, the Galle Literary Festival has become one of the most anticipated arts and culture events in South Asia. A favourite among authors and attendees alike, the Festival hosts a wide variety of talks, workshops and exhibitions in an intimate, historic setting.

A celebration of the creative arts, the Festival champions the work of writers and poets, as well as giving space to painters, photographers and cinematographers. Through associated culinary events, the GLF also highlights the excellence of local and international chefs.

Held largely within the walls of the centuries-old Galle Fort, the Festival has a strong sense of community at its heart. A UNESCO World Heritage Site on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, the Fort is home to one of the island’s most diverse communities. Its cobbled streets and terracotta-roofed houses generously invite local and international visitors to gather for a long weekend intended to inspire, educate and entertain.